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Chris Thorburn may have been the happiest man in the Jets dressing room when big Anthony Peluso walked in, Thursday.

Until Winnipeg picked Peluso off NHL waivers, Thorburn was the Jet most likely to drop his gloves when necessary.

Now Thorburn, listed at 6-foot-3, 230-pounds, can tag off some of the heavyweight duties to the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Peluso.

“Absolutely. Just like me and (Tanner) Glass had last year,” Thorburn said. “You kind of create that bond, and with guys in the past that I’ve played with that have had that tougher-guy mentality. It’s just nice to do it in numbers.”

Peluso, who’s yet to play an NHL game, developed his reputation as a ferocious fighter in the AHL, with the St. Louis Blues farm team in Peoria, the last three-and-a-half years.

The Jets eased him into practice, Thursday, but when he gets into the lineup the 23-year-old is expected to join Thorburn and Jim Slater on a fourth line charged with providing more crash than flash.

“I guess Anthony can carry himself pretty good,” Thorburn said. “It’s something we’re not shy to have. We’ll defintely be a gang-first mentality, and he’s just going to add to that mix. He looks good. He might be tough and can chuck ’em, but he can skate, he’s got skill.

“If anything he’ll help my game, because if we’re on a line we can create more energy.”

Winnipeg Jets Chris Thorburn happy to have tough-guy company

Chris Thorburn may have been the happiest man in the Jets dressing room when big Anthony Peluso walked in, Thursday.

Until Winnipeg picked Peluso off NHL waivers, Thorburn was the Jet most likely to drop his gloves when necessary.

Now Thorburn, listed at 6-foot-3, 230-pounds, can tag off some of the heavyweight duties to the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Peluso.

“Absolutely. Just like me and (Tanner) Glass had last year,” Thorburn said. “You kind of create that bond, and with guys in the past that I’ve played with that have had that tougher-guy mentality. It’s just nice to do it in numbers.”

Peluso, who’s yet to play an NHL game, developed his reputation as a ferocious fighter in the AHL, with the St. Louis Blues farm team in Peoria, the last three-and-a-half years.

The Jets eased him into practice, Thursday, but when he gets into the lineup the 23-year-old is expected to join Thorburn and Jim Slater on a fourth line charged with providing more crash than flash.